Cannon.



PATENTED MAY 22, 1906.

RJ. BLooD.

CANNON.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 5. 1905.

2 SHBETS-SHEET 1.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIOE.

EDWIN J. BLOOD, OF CHICAGO, iLLINOis.

CA N N O N To all whom it. may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN J. BLOOD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cannons, of which'the fol- /lowing is a specification.

My present invention relates'to im rovements 1n the construction of heavy or ance I-o or guns and cannons; and the objects thereof are, namely: to rovide simple and e'icient means by whic heavy ordnance can be more readilyccnstructed and at much less cost than heretofore and in such a manner I 5 that a much better grade of steel may be incorporated in the body of the cannon than is possible to use in the old form of heavy forgings; to provide a cannon in which by reason of the particular construction, arrangement,

zo and operation of its various parts the initial strain of the gun ma be produced and regulated by mechanica means independent of the agency or" heat and which neutralizes or prohibits the vibration produced by the die# 2 5 charge or explosion of powder from causing.

granulation or crystallization of the iber of the metal of which the cannon is composed; to lenable heavy cannon to be constructed with all the advantages of great weight, but

3o without the disadvantages thereof, t e same being made and assembled or mounted piece by piece in a very short time; to construct a gun Apossessing' greater strength, as well as greater durability, and which, by the nature of 3 5 its construction, admits of an accurate calculation being made to show the power of resistance which it possesses and enables the builder to detect and reject impure'or weak metal, which isinadvertently incorporated io in large guns constructed by the old orordinary method; to provide means to resist or counteract the concussion at the rear of the bore'which shall not be limited, restricted, or confined by the diameter ofthe bore, thus al- 5 lowing-any details of the construction to be enlarged upon to augment the strength or resistance to withstand the concussion; to

neutralize or counteract the recoil 'and to en-n able the gun to be taken apart and put tovo gether at pleasure, thus greatly facilitating its transportation for use or other purposes also, to permit the inner barrel to` be readily removed when injured 'and another one to be inserted in its stead.

5 Other objects and advantages of the invenr Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed September 5,1905. Serial No. 276,938.

`end of the cannon.

, of one of the segmental stra s or saddles used ifaientea may "as, 190e.

and explanation.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention pertains to make and use the same, I will now proceed to describe it, referring to the accompanying drawings,

in which- Figure I is a lon 'tudinal sectional view taken on line 1 1 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, of a cannon embodying one formof my invention. Fig. 2 is a tion will appear in the subjoined description.

lon 'tudinal sectional view taken on line 2 2 lof ig. 3 lookin in the direction indicated by the arrows. ig. 3 is a viewof the breech Fig. 4 is a detached viewfor securing the longitudina ribs on the disks or plates comprising a art of the cannon. Fig. .5 isa cross-seotiona view taken on line- 5 5 of Fig. 1 'looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. muzzle end of the cannon. Fig. 7 is a side view in elevation of the rear portion or breech part of the cannon. Fig. 8 isa detached view of one of the metal disks or plates which encirclethe sleevewhich surrounds the inner barrel'. Figs. 9 and 10 are A'detached Fig. 6 is aview of the views showing modifications in thej-c'onstrucf,

tion of the sleeve which surrounds the barrel..

Fig. 11' is a perspective view of one ofthe longitudinal ribs. Fig. 12 is a detached face view of a modified form of one of the disksorV plates used for securing the segmental straps or saddles in place. Fig. 13 is a face view of v a modified form of one of the disks. or plates which encircle the inner sleeve. Fig. 1,4 is a View in side elevation of a portion of Atwo sec' tion; if the modified forms of disks shown in Fig. 13, illustrating said sections bolted. to-

The rear or'breech en of the barrel 2() is pro-l vided with a flaring and screw threaded o ening 22 to receive and engage portions of t e--breech-block, as will be presently ex-v ICO plained. :Surrounding the Abarrel 2O is a sleeve 23, which is preferably provided with a longitudinal slot 24 throughout its entire length and has itsV bore tapered from the breech end to 'the muzzle end to correspond With the taper oi the outer surface of the barrel. The rear end of the bore oi thesleeve 23 is provided with 'a screw-threaded enlarge'- ment 25 to receive and engage a portion of the breech-block. The outer surface of the sleeve is Ireduced by steps or in sections from its rear portion to its iront end, thus forming a number of portions 26' of diilerent size in cross-section, but each having its outer surface in parallelism'with the vWalls of vthe bore in the barrel. VAt its front art each of the portions 26 is provided witl'l screw-threads 27 to engage similar threads on some of the plates or disks 28, which surround the sleeve and are preferably formed' of rolled sheetsteel of' any desired thickness or size, those located on the rear portion of the sleeve being greater .in diameter than those on the front portion thereof in order to produce Weight and-strength at the desired point of the cannonto neutralizefthe effect of concussion and to'counteractfthe'recoil. Fitted on the breech end. ofthe sleeve 23 is a breechplate 29, which is provided at its periphery on one of the sides ofthe cannon .Withaperturedlugs 30, .between which an extension 31 on a piece 32 is pivotally secured'by means oi a'bolt 33, which passes through said lugs and extension. The breech-.block 3.4 is swiv'- eled-in an openingin the piece 32 and is provided on its odter surface with a handle 35, used vfor turning. the same, .and on its-inner surface with screw-threaded segmental portions 36 and 37, the former engaging 4the 'ecreWLthreads 25 in the rearportion of the sleeve and the latter engaging the screwthreads 22 in the rear portion of the barrel. The E`ln=eeeli-block is provided exteriorly oi the piece -32With oppositely-projecting ex tensions 38, `Which are adapted. to engage, When-the said block isin its'lo'ckedposition, inwardly-projecting lugs 39' onthe segmental straps or saddles 40, which are 'located diametricellyopposite each other on the outer surface end at the periphery of the breechplate, whichlras aperturedlugs 4l to receive the rear ends of rods 42, which pass through saidl lugs and suitableopenings near the ends the stra s 4G, which are .bolted thereon. The steel pi) sleeve'23 and forced against the iront surface of the breecheplate 29 and firmly held in po sitionlby ineens oi' other disks 23, which are provided with screw-threads to engage' the threads on the iront portion oi e'aeh ofthe 'parts'26 ofth'e sleeve. vSome-of 'the plates 23 at the iront par-t of the portion 26 oi the sleeve-adjacent to the breech end oi the gun are provided with apertured lugs 43 -toreceive the iront portions of the rods i-which,

eersel .front of the ortion 26 of the s iirst step from the-rear thereof.

'openings fin .the :luge 441 on t ates or disks 28 areplaoed on the asbefore .statednengage at theirrea' .ends the straps 40 on the breech-plate.

ALocated diametrically opposite each other on the outer surface of the la just in iiaeve adjacee", to the breec of the gun are segmental straps 44, each of which has near its ends 5 'pening, through Which the rods 42 is. Y rods also passing, through at their om openings 1n lugs 43 on other disks or plates front of the Each of the straps 44 is provided at about its middle With a vrecess 45 to yreceive the ribs 4.6, which extend longitudinally ci thecannon from one end thereof to the other and have their ends reduced and screw-threaded, as is clearly' shown in Fig. '1-1 of the drawings. The rear end of eachoi the ribs 46 asses through lie breechlate and through openings in the' ends o the straps 40 thereon and are firmly secured in place by nieans of nuts 47, While the iront 28, surrounding the sleeve in lends ci each 'of the said ribs pass through openings in lugs'48 on the disks or plates 28, located .at 4the front ormuzzle oi" the cannon and are held in place by' means of nuts 49 thereon. y

Just in iront of the .iirststep or portion 2 6 from the .rearfof the cannonlor at a suitable point on the sleeve several of the disksor plates 23 are provided with extensions 50, which are formed to `provide.cylindrical trun nions or an axisiorthe cannon. At a suit- 'abledistanee in iront of the second step cr portion 26 from thebreech end of the carmen are located diametrically opposite each other and onthe-outerlsuriace of some ofthe disks or plates 28'two other strapscr saddles 44, which are of the same construction as .those just above described and serve to brace the ribs 46 against lateral movement.' The lastnamed straps 44 are interposed between disks 28., having lugs .48 thereon and which .disks are secured together by means ofbolts. 51, which pass through openings inz .said straps vand in said lugs.

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the endsA of Instead oi .using a sleeve vconstructed 'in Fig. 10 is illustrated another modiiicai,

tion' in the construction oi the sleeve which I. may sometimes employ andwhlch consists in employing a sleeve 53, which has its outer h i f' suraceunthreaded and taperedvrrom its breech end to its iront ornuzzle. end.v ln

oi the' drawings vand f i sensei are without internal screw-threads andareto its forced on the sleeve fro'mits tapered 5 enlarged end.

Instead ofusing the disks or'plates 28,.hav-

ingA the lugs 43,.as shown in Figs. 2 'andi of the drawings, I may employ disks 54,.to be sists in Jforming said disks with enlargements 55, oppositely disposed and providing each of said enlargements Withopenings 56 nea'i its ends tor the securing bolts or rods and With a recess 57 at about its middle for the recep-` tion oi the ribs 46.

In some instances I may em loy disks or plates 58, having openings 59, see F ig. 13,)

to receive tie-rods 60 and secure said disks together in sections, as shown in Fig. 14, which sections may be placed and secured on the' sleeve which may be of' any of the abovenam constructions. 'When this modified arran unent ot the disks is employed, 'the ad- 2 `5 jacen'-u nds of the sections of said disks are secure-s together by means of end disks 61 and cachot which provided with oppositely-Gisposed extensions 63, having openings 64 tor the reception of rods'65, which are ends thereof. @ne of the said end platestis provided with a transverserecess 67, While the other one is provided WithA a transverse projection 68 to iit therein, as is clearly shown in Fi 14 of the drawin s. When the secand 70 of the dis 58 are united, as shown in Fig. 14, lthe ends of the tie-rods 60 will be countersunk 1n openings 71 ofthe said.

end plates.

4o From the -foregoing and by reference to the drawings it Will be readilyv understood andV clearly seen thatby using a sleeve having a tapered .bore to correspond with the taper of the outer surface of the barrel and externally duced 1from its breech end to its muzzle end the constructions shown and above the front portion of the cannon Will a lighter than the rear portion thererendering it practicable to use my ction,'whereasif the'sleeve employed Was not reduced toward its front end the construction would be impracticahle onaccount' of the great Weight at-'said end. l lt'is also obvious that by reducing the sleeve in steps 'or portions, as'shown in Figs. 1,-2, and 9, of the drawings, the different -groups of tension disks or plates 28 to be dttedon-theirrespective portions of the slevwill re ufircentral openings of uniform' sizybut W. en tt-'sleeve f the sleeve longitudinally it is ap located on each side of the straps 44 of. the "the barrel maybel more"..readi y removed construction illustrated in Fig. 12, which con- ,surface-,and means to securesaid plates tosecured in place by means of nuts 66 on the scribed.

vhaving therear end of its held in place by any of the above-named' gitudinal slot, so that its outer surface will uniformly contact with theinner peripheries 'o the tension-disks thereon. By slotting rent that When'it is desired todo so for the purpose of `replacing it.with a neT` one. In order .to

facilitate the lacing of the tension-disks on i' :thestepped's eeve and also to prevent the screw-threads of said sleeve formln or starting ssuresin said disks, I may emp oy an 1nternally-screw-threaded bushing 72, upon which the disks-,may be secued and united together byl tie-rodsl Whensaid bushing may b'e screwedron the portion of the sleeve therefor.

Havin thus fully described my invention,

what I c aim as new, and'desiretosecure by v Letters Patent, is- 1. A cannon comprising an inner barrel, asleeve surroundingl said barrel and reducedA 'by steps o r portions from its rear-to its front end, a seriesof plates or disks located on the sleeve and presenting their edgesto its outer sleeve reducedby steps'or portions 'from its rear to its front end and surrounding the bari rel, a breechplate mounted on the rear portion ofthe sleeve and having aperturedlugs,

an end plate mounted o'n the front' portion of sleeve intermediate the breech-plate and said end plate and resenting theiredges to the outer surface o the sleeve, a plurality of ribs located'longitudinallywith 'respect to the b arrel and on the outer surface o said plates, the said ribs having their ends secured in the described.

pered from its rear to its `front end, a sleeve reduced by steps orportions from its rear to its front end and surrounding the barrel, screw-threads on eachof the said steps or portions, 'a series of plates ortlisks located onthe sleeve and resenting their edges to its outer surface, an means tosecure saidplates to-A gether, substantially as described. v 4. A cannon comprising an inner barrel ore enlarged and screw-threaded, a. sleeve reduced from its rear to its front end and surrounding the barrel, the said sleeve vhaving the rear end 'of its bore enlarged and screw-threaded, a breechthe-sleeve and having ape'rtured extensions, a ,series .of tension platesA or disks located on .the

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lbreech-plate and end plate, substantially as 3. A cannon comprising an inner barrel t'aplate mounted on the rear end of the sleeve, a i

neans to secure said plates together, an aper- ,ured piece or plug pivoted to the breechlate, a breech-block swiveled in said plug ind having screw-threaded portions to engage the rear ends of the barrel and sleeve md provided on its outer portion with a hanlle to turn the saine, and means tolock the )leech-block in its closed position, substan- :rially as described,

5. A cannon comprising an inner barrel iaving the rear end of its bore enlarged and screw-threaded,A of a surrounding sleeve reluced from its rear to its front end and provided With screw-threads in the rear end of its bore, a breech-plate mounted 011 the .rear and of the sleeve, an end plate on the front 3nd of the sleeve, a series of plates or disks .ocated on the sleeve between-fthe breechplate and said end plate, segmental straps located on the outer surface of ,the breechplatel opposite each other, each of said straps having an inwardly-extending projection, ribs secured at theirfrontends to the end plate and at their rear ends to said straps, an apertured piece or plug pivotally secured to the breech-plate, a breech-block-swiveled in the aperture of said piece and having screwthreaded portions to engage the rear ends ofthe barrel and sleeve and on its outer surface a handle to turn the same, oppositely-projecting extensions mounted on the breechbloclrto engage those of the straps, substantially as. described.

6. A cannon comprisin an inner barrel having the rear end vof its ore enlarged and screw-threaded, a .sleeve surrounding the bar'- rel and reduced by steps or portions and-having the rear end of its bore provided With screw-threads, av breech-plate mounted -on- I the re'arend of thesleeve, a series of tension- ,ser

plates located on the sleeve and presenting their edges to theouter surface thereof, means to secure said plates together and on the sleeve, straps located on the outer surface o the breech-plate and opposite each other, each ofsaid straps having an inposite y-eitending projections on the breechblock to engageA those on the said straps, substantially as described.

7. A cannon lcornprising an inner barrel having the rear end of its bore enlarged and screw-threaded, a sleeve surrounding the barrel and having the rear end of its bore screwthreaded, a breech-plate mounted on the rear end of the sleeve, a series of tension-plates located on the sleeve, means to secure'said tension-plates in place on the sleeve, straps located on the outer surface of the breech-plate and opposite each other, each of said straps having an inwardly-extending rojection, an apertured plug or piece pivota ly secured to the'breech-plate, a breech-block swiveled in the aperture of said plug, and having on its inner, surface screw-threaded portlons to engage the rear end of the barrel and sleeve and A on itsouter portieri a handle to turn the saine,

and oppositely-extending projections on the breech-block to engage those on said straps, substantially as described.

` EDWIN J. BLOQL Witnesses:

CHAs. C. TILLMAN, M. A. NYMAN. 

